Apparatus for particulate processing

Abstract

An apparatus including: a funnel comprising a housing operably connected to a particulate source at one end and extending downwardly therefrom to a receiver member at the other end, the funnel being adapted to permit a flow of powder therethrough, and wherein the inner wall of the funnel is adapted with a porous member which provides a boundary layer of gas between the porous member and the powder.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An apparatus comprising: a funnel comprising a housing operably connected to a particulate source at one end and extending downwardly therefrom to a receiver member at the other end, said funnel being adapted to permit a flow of powder therethrough, and wherein the inner wall of said funnel is adapted with a porous member;   a gas pressure source on one side of the porous member wherein the gas pressure traverses the porous member away from the gas source and towards the powder thereby forming a gaseous boundary layer between said porous member and the powder;   an auger for urging the powder downward through said funnel; and   a reversibly slidable housing adapted to controllably stop and start powder flow from said funnel.   
     
     
       2. An apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein the gas is compressed oxygen, nitrogen, argon, helium, or mixtures thereof. 
     
     
       3. An apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein the compressed gas enhances particulate flow and throughput by aerating the particle mass. 
     
     
       4. An apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein the porous liner comprises high density polyethylene. 
     
     
       5. An apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein said auger closely conforms to the internal dimensions of said housing. 
     
     
       6. An apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein the porous member is comprised of a resilient and flexible polymer. 
     
     
       7. An apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein at least a portion of said funnel housing has a hollow, substantially conofrustrical shape, the hollow conofrustrical portion defining a cavity therein. 
     
     
       8. An apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein said boundary layer eliminates powder friction, particulate interaction, and permits enhanced powder flow. 
     
     
       9. An apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein powder flow and throughput of the apparatus is enhanced from about 10 to about 200 percent compared to an apparatus with a funnel without said gaseous boundary layer. 
     
     
       10. An apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein powder flow and throughput of the apparatus is enhanced from about 50 to about 150 percent compared to an apparatus with a funnel without said gaseous boundary layer. 
     
     
       11. An apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein the powder is a toner, a carrier, a developer, a mineral, a pigment, a dye, a resin, a formulated resin, any flowable particulate material, and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
       12. An apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein the apparatus further comprising a deflector operably associated with said funnel for deflecting the powder as it exits said funnel. 
     
     
       13. An apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein the apparatus further comprises a vacuum source operably associated with said funnel for removing stray powder from said funnel. 
     
     
       14. An apparatus in accordance with claim 1, further comprising a converging nozzle attached to the outlet end of the funnel to reduce the diameter of the funnel to approximate the diameter of the receiver member. 
     
     
       15. An apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein the apparatus further comprises receiver member situated below the open end of the funnel for receiving and containing powder discharged therefrom. 
     
     
       16. An apparatus in accordance with claim 15, wherein the apparatus further comprises a conveyor and elevator assembly for advancing said receiver members to and from a fill location near the discharge end of the funnel. 
     
     
       17. A method comprising: placing a first powder container to be filled in filling relationship to a funnel extending downwardly from a hopper of the apparatus in accordance with claim 1;   directing the powder in the hopper toward the funnel located at least partially within the hopper, the funnel defining a restriction therein;   defining an inlet cross sectional area perpendicular to the flow the powder and outlet defining an outlet cross sectional area perpendicular to the flow the powder;   selecting the inlet cross sectional area to be larger than the outlet cross sectional area;   selecting the dimensions of said funnel to provide a ratio of the inlet cross sectional area to the outlet cross sectional area such that the flow of powder does not seize as it progresses through the nozzle;   dispensing powder from the hopper through the funnel feature and into a first container;   removing the first container from the funnel so that the powder flow through the funnel stops; and   placing a second container to be filled in filling relationship to the hopper so that the powder flow through the funnel resumes.   
     
     
       18. A method in accordance with claim 17, wherein the ratio of inlet to outlet cross sectional areas is from about 1.1:1 to about 5:1.